2012 DODGE CHALLENGER manual transmission

The power window switches will remain active for up to
60 minutes after the ignition switch is turned OFF.
Opening either door will cancel this feature. The time for
this feature is programmable. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Personal Settings (Customer-
Programmable Features)” in “Understanding Your In-
strument Panel” for further information.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter-type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
one window open, then open the other window to
minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs with the
sunroof open, then adjust the sunroof opening to mini-
mize the buffeting.
TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE
The trunk lid can be released from inside the vehicle by
pressing the Trunk Release button. The button is located
on the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.
NOTE:The transmission must be in PARK before the
button will operate. If equipped with a manual transmis-
sion, the vehicle speed must be under 5 mph (8 km/h)
before the button will operate.
The trunk lid can be released from
outside the vehicle by pressing the
Trunk Release button on the Re-
mote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter twice within five seconds
or by using the external release
switch located on the underside of
the decklid overhang. The release
Trunk ReleaseButton
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 252
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 252
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 253
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go – If Equipped ........ 254
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 255
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 258
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 258
▫ After Starting ....................... 260 
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 260
 Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........ 260
▫ Six-Speed Manual Transmission .......... 260
 Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ...... 265
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 266
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 266
▫ Five-Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 266
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 267
5

AutoStick .......................... 273
▫ Operation ......................... 273
 Sport Mode — If Equipped .............. 275
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 277
▫ Acceleration ........................ 277
▫ Traction ........................... 277
 Driving Through Water ................. 278
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 278
 Power Steering ....................... 280
 Parking Brake ........................ 281
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 282
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 283
Brake System ........................ 284
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If
Equipped .......................... 285
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 287
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) –
If Equipped ........................ 288
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) –
If Equipped ........................ 288
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) – If Equipped . . . 289
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual
Transmission Only ................... 289
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – If
Equipped .......................... 291
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 294
248 STARTING AND OPERATING

Fuel Requirements ..................... 327
▫ 3.6L And 5.7L Engine
(With Automatic Transmission) ........... 327
▫ 5.7L Engine (With Manual Transmission) .... 328
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 328
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 328
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 329
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 329
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 330
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 330
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 331
Adding Fuel ......................... 332
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 332
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 334
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 334
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 334
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 335
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 335
▫ Overloading ........................ 335
▫ Loading ........................... 336
 Trailer Towing ........................ 336
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 337
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 339
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 340
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 340
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 341
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 346 
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 348
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .... 348
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ...... 349
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 251

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children
to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the shift lever.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, and
do not leave a vehicle equipped with Keyless
Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL and press the clutch pedal before starting vehicle.
This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlocking igni-
tion system. It will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor.
Normal Starting With Integrated Key – Manual
Transmission
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
Press the clutch pedal fully to the floor, and turn the
252 STARTING AND OPERATING

Removing The Button
1. The ENGINE START/STOP button can be removed
from the ignition switch for key fob use.
2. Insert the metal part of the emergency key under the
chrome bezel at the 6 o’clock position and gently pry the
button loose.
NOTE:The ENGINE START/STOP button should only
be removed or inserted with the ignition in the OFF
position.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button –
Automatic Transmission Only
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal. To start the engine, the transmission must be in PARK or
NEUTRAL. Press and hold the brake pedal while press-
ing the ENGINE START/STOP button once. The system
takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically after
10 seconds. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine
prior to the engine starting, press the button again.
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button –
Manual Transmission Only
NOTE:
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
To start the engine, press and hold the clutch pedal while
pressing and holding the ENGINE START/STOP button.
Release the button when the engine starts. If the vehicle
fails to start within 15 seconds, release the button, wait 10
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 255

to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” proce-
dure. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior
to the engine starting, release the button.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button – Automatic Transmission
Only
1. Place the shift lever in PARK, then press and release
the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/
STOP button must be held for two seconds and vehicle
speed must be above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain in
the ACC position until the shift lever is in PARK and the
button is pressed twice to the OFF position. If the shift
lever is not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP
button is pressed once, the EVIC (if equipped) willdisplay a “VEHICLE NOT IN PARK” message and the
engine will remain running. Never leave a vehicle out of
the PARK position, or it could roll.
NOTE:
If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after
30 minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button – Manual Transmission Only
1. With the vehicle stopped, place the shift lever in
NEUTRAL, then press and release the ENGINE START/
STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. Place the shift lever in first gear or Reverse and then
apply the parking brake.
256 STARTING AND OPERATING